House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001
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| Long title | An Act to remove any disqualification from membership of the House of Commons that arises by reason of a person having been ordained or being a minister of a religious denomination and to continue the disqualification of Lords Spiritual from such membership. |
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| Citation | 2001 c. 13 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 11 May 2001 |
| Commencement | 11 May 2001 |
| Other legislation | |
| Relates to | House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 |
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Status: Current legislation
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 (c.13) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The purpose of the Act was to remove the disqualifications for clergy in standing for election as Members of Parliament and sitting in the House of Commons. The Act also allowed clergy to sit in other elected bodies including the European Parliament. Some bishops of the Church of England continue to be disqualified, as they sit in the House of Lords as Lords Spiritual.
Previously clergy were disqualified to sit in the House of Commons due to the House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801 and section 10 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.
The Bill was a reaction to the selection of David Cairns, a laicised Catholic priest, as the Labour candidate for the safe seat of Greenock and Inverclyde. Member of Parliament Siobhain McDonagh had previously introduced similar legislation in 1999, but it had run out of Parliamentary time.
See also
External links
- Text of the the Act as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from the UK Statute Law Database
- Explanatory note to the Act
